Gardening: trimming fruit trees

Trimming fruit trees annually ensures a more abundant and better quality harvest

The purpose is to eliminate dead wood, balance the weight of the fruit, and orient branches to receive as much light as possible.
The trim must be straight and clean to reduce surface scarring and the risk of infection. If the cut is major, apply a scarring sealant such as Stockholm tar.
Check your tools. They must be sharp and perfectly clean to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

When should you trim fruit trees?

The fruit of core fruit trees (apple trees, pear trees, etc.) forms on previous growth and 1 year growth. Trim in winter when sap circulates slowly.
The fruit of stone fruit trees (plum trees, apricot trees, peach trees, cherry trees, etc.) forms on last year’s growth. They can handle summer trimming (August, September), during and after harvesting.

The different trims

Shaping

Mostly reserved for newly planted trees, this type of trim is used to shape and provide trees with a solid structure. Balance the structure by eliminating intersecting branches. Always cut after an eye directed towards the ground. Also cut all suckers and any strong woody shoots growing on the tree vertically.

Cleaning

Eliminate criss-crossing branches, damaged or dead wood. Remove mummified fruit.

Thinning

The purpose of this type of trimming is to bring light to the centre of the tree and consequently encourage homogenous fruit bodies. To do this, eliminate branches that point towards the interior.

Cutting back

This consists of reducing the length of the main branches by cutting their extremities off. This method distributes sap to lateral branches.